FDR and The Boy Scouts

Today I attended one of the best Boy Scout honoree luncheons.They are all terrific, yet this one resonated with me in many ways and as a board member of the Greater NY Councils, it is always wonderful to learn from those that are honored.

Today the FDR Distinguished Service Award was presented to Robert Glenn Hubbard, Dean of Columbia Business School. His remarks were brilliant,witty and inspiring.

As an Eagle Scout himself, it was especially enjoyable to listen to the young Scout who spoke today of his own experiences and it was Dr. Hubbard's own son, 13 year old Will Hubbard.

The inspiration behind today's award service was Franklin Delano Roosevelt-an inspired leader who had vision, drive and a love for youth, and FDR served as the first President of the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts from 1918-1922.

In his honor, the Boy Scouts present the Distinguished Service Award to a deserved individual who exemplifies the qualities and unique spirit of the first Council President.

Truly a wonderful and inpiring meeting today.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1933-1945

President Roosevelt was the first to enter the White House with a record as an active Scout leader. He was president of the Greater New York Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1934, hundreds of thousands of Scouts assembled to hear President Roosevelt’s broadcast appealing for help for the needy. They responded by collecting nearly two million articles of clothing, household furnishings, and other items for disadvantaged families. When FDR died in 1945, he had a 24-year record of service in Scouting.

“As one who has been interested in Scouting over many years, it has been most heartening to have so many evidences of the practical values of Scout training. We must remember that next to active military service itself, there is no higher opportunity for serving our country than helping youth to carry on in their efforts to make themselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight, and prepared to help their country to the full in time of war, as well as in time of peace. We must make sure that those volunteer agencies, which are supplementing the church, the home, and the school by providing programs that will help equip the present generation to cope with life problems in the difficult days ahead, are maintained to their maximum capacity and effectiveness.”